MASTER BUILDERS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20513, 1 June 1938, Page 9

MASTER BUILDERS

HAMILTON ASSOCIATION IHCRTAQE OF BKILLED LABOUR ADULT APPRENTICE SYSTEM Matters affecting the building industry were discussed in the Centreway Rooms last evening when the third annual meeting of the Hamilton Master Builders Association was held The president, Mr M. H. Stapleton, presided over a good attendance. The secretary, Mr R. Challiner. was also present. Messrs E. E. Gillman and J. 11. Edgecumbe. president and vicepresident respectively of the South Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, were present as representatives of the institute.

The balance-sheet,- showing a sound position, was adopted. *’ln common with other parts of the Dominion, there is a definite shortage of skilled labour in the Waikato,” said the president in fiis annual report. “We recently advertised in the ma n centre* and received about 7" applications. Most of them could have been placed immediately, but many appeared to be unsuitable for the district.’

The report stated that since tlie last annual meeting the rules of ihe asso- J elation were amended to extend the territorv to a radius of 40 miles from the Hamilton Chief post Office. The object was to cover the towns on the Hamilton side of Rotorua and to bring in as many country members as possible. A recommendation was made to the Incoming executive to endeavour to increase the country membership, as ail builders in the country, as well as In the towns, derived benefits as the result of the combined efTorts of builders' associations- It was only fair that all should assist in financing the work. The next Dominion conference would be held in Hamilton. The election of offices resulted as follows: President. Mr D. C. Street; vice-presidents. Messrs. M. H. Stapleton and I). I. Hat*: executive. Messrs. C. L. Rawlinson Te Awamutu), W. F. Bui ford fOtorohanga), L. L. Aiken ( Morrlnsville*. W. H. Young. F. O. Church. \V. Short. L. C. Winthrop and P. O. Howell; auditors, Messrs L. C. Winthrop and W. Short. Several new members were elected. An explanation of the system for the employment of adult apprentices was given by Mr Hate, who detailed the difficulties of ihe former ‘'adult trainee” scheme owing to the objections raised by the Carpenters* Union. However, the adult apprenticeship system was a very sound one, provided the applicants were found to be suitable for the trade. Trend of Legislation “With the trend of the legislation of the present Government It Is almost Impossible for a youth to get a Job,” said Mr Gate. “The majority of employers are not prepared to pay inexperienced youths the wages which the Government has specified. Given a chance, many of the young men at present out of work would prove at least as good as many of the men we have at present.” The valuable work the association had done in the protection of builders* plans was mentioned by Mr Street, who stressed the need for builders signing their plans. In several cases plans drawn up by a builder had been taken by the client and hawked among other builders with a view to securing a comparison of prices. Thus a builder would go to the trouble of drawing a plan and making out specifications. and in the end he might not secure the job. As means of reimbursing the builder for bis primary work Mr Gate suggested that clients should pay for plans and specifications. On the other band, said Mr Rawlinson. the drawing of plans should be left in the hands of the architects. No action was taken in the matter. A report on the last annual Dominion conference in Palmerston North was given by Mr Young, who was one of the Hamilton delegates. “If something of this nature could be brought into force I think It would be for the benefit of the public.” said Mr Street, after the secretary had read a draft of the proposed Bill for the registration of builders. ‘‘lt would not minimise the competition, but gi*e the builders some standing. It Is time something of the sort was brought forward.” After further discussion it was decided to endorse the proposals laid down In the draft.